Homicides: man, mother found slain near Lubbock

LUBBOCK, Texas — A man and his mother have been found slain in West Texas days apart on the same property.

Dr. Sridhar Natarajan, who's chief medical examiner for Lubbock County, announced Tuesday that 26-year-old Derek Ryan Hale died of a stab wound and blunt force trauma. The coroner says 49-year-old Joanie Parker had been shot several times.

Her body was located May 24 near Idalou. His body was found Friday night. Hale initially had been sought as a person of interest in his mother's death, until both killings were determined to be homicides.

Lubbock County Sheriff Kelly Rowe says the deaths appear connected. Rowe says two people who know Hale have been questioned.

The sheriff's department did not immediately return a message Wednesday from The Associated Press.